Democratic Money in Politics

Democrats love to complain about “money-in-politics.” Mention the Koch Brothers and Sheldon Adelson and veins in the average Democrat’s neck begin to throb. But few Democrats walk-the-walk when it comes to political money. Few Democrats treat “Democratic money-in-politics” with the partisan distain they reserve for “Republican money-in-politics.”

Case in point is the current primary in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District. The Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI) rates the 8th District as D+16; a nominal Democrat will usually beat a nominal Republican by 16 points. This makes the 8th District a certain Democratic win. Baring a felony conviction (not just an arrest), whoever wins the Democratic primary in two days will almost certainly win the general election in November.

As of two weeks ago, the leader in the polls is auto-dealer Don Beyer. He is also the leading money raiser – tripling the cash of any of his 6 opponents. Beyer has raised $1.3 million. His 6 competitors – combined – have raised $1.8 million. 

Don Beyer seems a good person with a record of public service. The same can be said for the other candidates. What distinguishes Beyer is his money. Staying well within the law, Beyer is buying Tuesday’s primary. Beyer is buying phone-banks, paid canvassers, media ads, Google ads, strategists, pollsters, and mailings in amounts and sophistication that swamp his competitors. Come election night, Beyer’s vote advantage will probably mirror his money advantage: 42% of the money will buy 42% of the vote.

Is this money disparity an issue in the Democratic primary? Not at all. Press, public and candidates are silent on Beyer’s fundraising advantage.

Do Democrats really care about money-in-politics? Evidently not, unless the hated Republicans have the upper hand. If a campaign is awash with Republican money, Democrats make it “the” issue. Dems will even call for amending the Constitution. But in this Democratic primary, with money so disparate and decisive, I’ve not heard a single Democratic whimper about money-in-politics.

Democratic silence on the money gap in Tuesday’s 8^th District primary tells the real story of campaign finance. No one really cares. If anyone did, they would make it an issue.